Activities In Orkney
There is plenty to do in Orkney whatever type of holiday you are after. You can spend your days travelling around world renowned archeological sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring or Brodgar, or you can opt for a quieter pace of life and chill on the beach (or if you are like me a bit of both!).
Many beaches are even suitable for parking beside and setting up camp for the night. Just ask if you would like more details. There are also plenty of campsites you can choose from. The sun barely sets in summer so you can walk on the beach at midnight or even play cards in the twilight.
Orkney Wildlife
Orkney is a nature lovers dream and there is plenty of wildlife to see. Seals haul up on many beaches to pup and often swim along with you from the safety of the sea as you walk along beaches. You will see rabbits and hares leaping about the fields and plenty of protected heather moorlands and peaty slopes.
There are wooded areas such as Binscarth in Finstown, Happy Valley in Stenness and Berriedale in Hoy to explore and visiting most tourist sites provides you with a scenic walk along the way.
Walking
Orkney has many scenic walks both on the mainland and the islands. There are walks for many different abilities and regular organised walks with the Orkney Rambling Club. Visitors are most welcome so why not join them for the day and benefit from their wealth of local knowledge. Dont forget your camera though. Hiring a campervan is an ideal opportunity to explore the more far flung corners of the island, then return to your cosy van for an evening watching the sea and relaxing.
Birdwatching
Orkney is a wonderful place for birdwatchers. You can expect to see some of the largest colonies of sea birds in the UK, as well as, passerines, divers, waterfowl, raptors and owls and wading birds. This useful map of Orkney shows you when the best times of the year are to visit for certain types of birds.
Cycling
There are few serious hills in Orkney so cycling is fairly easy going and can be a family affair. You can find cycle routes to print off from the Visit Scotland website and there are plenty of books for sale with routes in.
Let us know if you would like to hire a bike rack (max 4 bikes) and Orkney Cycle Hire in Stromness and Cycle Orkney in Kirkwall will provide you with all you need.
Family Friendly Activities
There is plenty to keep the children busy from farms to museums, swimming pools to soft play and a cinema. The Orkney Netmums site has more details of all of these, complete with comments and reviews from other parents and a bursting family friendly whats-on page.
Why not time your visit to coincide with one of our great events.
Festivals
2-8 September 2010 - 20th Anniversary of the Orkney Science Festival
18th 23rd June 2010 St Magnus Festival
September 2010 Blues Festival
27th 30th May 2010 Orkney Folk Festival
27th 29th August Orkney Beer Festival (I would use the Stromness Camp Site to attend this Festival)
Shows
Sanday Show: 6th Aug
East Mainland Show: 7th Aug
Shapinsay Show 10th August
South Ronaldsay and Burray 11th Aug
West Mainland: 12th Aug
County Show 14th Aug
Orkney Bikers Rally 20th -22nd Aug
More information on events in Orkney this year on Netmums Orkney and the Visit Orkney Website .
______________________________________________________________________________
Below you will find a google map, with many tags of places of interest, and travel details.
View Orkney Campers in a larger map
